Hydrophone selecting system



my l, 1947- J.' B. RETALLAcK y'YDROPIONE SELECTING SYSTEM 2 Sheets-Sheetl Filed Nov. 8, 1945 /Nl/EN TOR JB. RE TALL/16K A TTORA/EV J. B.RETALLACK HYPROPHONE SELECTING SYSTEM Filed NOV. 8, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet2 Y /M/ENTOR JMB. RETALLACK Bv 69%@ c. cmu@ A TTORNEV July n, 1947.

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Patented July l, 1947 HYDROPHONE SELEGTING SYSTEM John B. Retallack, NewYork, N. Y., assignor to Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated, NewYork, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application November 8, 1943,Serial No. 509,448

3 Claims.

This invention relates to hydrophone systems and more particularly to aselecting system for connecting a particular one of a number ofhydrophone stations to a central station for signaling.

An object of this invention is the improvement of hydrophone systems.

A more particular object of this invention is the improvement ofhydrophone station selection.

In hydrophone systems a number of hydrophone stations are ordinarilyconnected to a central signaling station. The various hydrophonestations must be arranged so that they may be selectively connected tothe central station for signaling purposes. The invention hereinprovides improvements in the selecting apparatus so that the selectingapparatus is better adapted for hydrophone service.

One of the chief difficulties encountered in hydrophone operation is thefailure of such systems due to corrosion of metal parts of the systemcaused by moisture. In the selecting arrangements herein failure due tocorrosion of metal parts of the selecting apparatus is substantiallyveliminated.

In one form of the invention in which the hydrophone stations are spacedat intervals along a. single two-conductor marine cable, relay contactsenclosed in sealed envelopes of glass or the like are employed toprotect the contacts against moisture. Further in order to simplify theselecting apparatus copper-oxide rectiers or the like are employed inseries with the windings of selecting relays. This permits theemployment of a single neutral relay to perform the function of tworelays or of a polarized relay thus minimizing trouble conditions.

In another form of the invention where the marine area served by thehydrophones makes it feasible the marinev cable is run under Water to aposition of vantage where all of the selecting apparatus is located in asingle sealed container. This forms an underwater central selectingstation. From the selecting station, shorter individual lengths ofmarine cable radiate to the positions of the various hydrophones. Inthis arrangement also the selecting apparatus is simplified by theemployment of a network of copper-oxide rectiers or the like in serieswith the windings of neutral relays.

'I'he invention may be understood from the following description whenread with reference to the associated drawings in which:

Fig. 1 shows a selecting arrangement in which the individual selectingapparatus for each of the l "A hydrophone stations is spaced along asingle twoconductor submarine cable. Y

Fig. 2 shows a selecting arrangement in which the selecting apparatus islocated in a single sealed container at an underwater vantage point fromwhich individual marine cables radiate to the various hydrophonestations.

Fig. 3 shows a selecting code used in explaining Fig. 2.

Refer to Fig. 1. In this iigure a signalingv sta'- tion I and aselecting station 2, both located on land, are connected to atwo-conductor submarine cable 3. The submarine cable is enclosed in animpervious sheath 4 which is connected to ground 5. The submarine cableis laid on the earth beneath a body of Water such as a channel, bay,etc. At intervals along the length of the submarine cable, fivehydrophones 6, 1, 8, 9 and Iii are located. Each hydrophone, the detailsof which are not shown but are well known in the art, is connected tothe two conductorsy of. the submarine cable by means of an individualselecting mechanism. Each of `four of the ve selecting mechanisms, thosefor hydrophones 6, 1, 8 and 9 has one electromagnetic relay uniti I, I2,I3 and I4, each consisting of two pairs of cooperating relay contacts I1 and I 8, vI9 and 20, 2| and 22, 23 and 2li. Each pair of contacts issealed in an individual glass envelope 25 and 26, 21 and 28, 29 and 30,3| and 32. l each of the envelopes is an individual magnetic winding 33and 34, 35 and 36, 3'I and 38, 39 and di). Each of the two windingsforming a pair at a particular station is connected in series to theother, so that their two sets of associated contacts are opened andclosed in unison when the electrical paths through the windings areopened and closed in a manner to be described below.

Two of the four hydrophones 6, I, 8 and 9,y

namely, hydrophones 6 and l, are arranged to be selected by currenttransmitted from the selecting station over the lower conductor 3a. Ofthese two hydrophones, hydrophone 6 is arranged to be selected bycurrent of positive polarity andv the other hydrophone, hydrophone 'I isarranged to be selected by current of negative polarity transmitted overconductor 3a. Hydrophones 8 and 9 are arranged to be selected by currenttransmitted over conductor 3b. Hydrophone 8 is` selected by battery ofpositive -polarity transed by battery of negative polarity transmittedmitted over conductor 3b. Hydrophone 9 is select.- ed by battery ofnegative polarity transmitted over conductor 3b.

rAi, each of the four hydrophones 6, 1, sf 'and s1- Surrounding' 'thatit is Connected to the Y is connected to either conductor and hydrophonethere are a pair of rectox rectiers such as 15 and 15, 11 and 18,19 and80, and 8| and 82, connected into the selecting circuit. The rectiersare poled in such manner that each of the four stations 6, 1, 8 and 9responds only to current of the proper polarity transmitted over theproper conductor.

In order tomaKe a' selection of one of thefour hydrophones 6, 1, 8 and9, some one of the four keys 9|, 92, 93 o-r 96 is actuated to connectbattery of the proper polarity to the proper conductor. When no key isactuated, no currentisconnected to either conductor, For this conditionhydrophone H) is connected toY the line.' The selecting circuit athydrophonelil` is arrangedso line when Vno current l is disconnectedfrom the line when currentof either polarity is connected to eitherconductor. Inithe system of the invention therefore it is possible toselect any' of the' five hydrophones'. One of the ve is normally'connected 'to-the line and is disconnected when current of eitherpolarityisconducted over either of the two'cable cone ductors. Each of'the otherpfour is' selected when durrent` of' a' particular"v polarityis impressed on a particular one of'two'conductors.

Thel'operation of the circuit per Fig; l wil'lnow be described indetail.

v Whenthe'circuit per'Fig. l is' in'the condition shownv on the drawing,that is with noneof the contacts of keys" 9|, 9.2, 93' or Sil' closed,positive battery' 4|' and negative" battery' 44 are discon-f nectedfrom' the' submarineA cable` conductors 3a' and 3b." Under these'circumstances signaling station is'. connected' to' hydrophone" IB;Signalingstation. is connected by means of a pair of conductors to theprimary of transformer 1.

The' secondary of the' transformer comprises an upper winding 64` and alower winding' 65, the,

inner terminals of'which are'connected'to opposite plates' of condenser58'. The'oute'r terminals of' windings 60' and 64 are connected tolconductors' 3a" and.3b of the submarine'cable The contact's 4'8 and4'9"; in glass envelopes 50 and 5| respectively; of relay unit I6 are'closed when windings 56 and'51` are deenergized. The circuit extendsfrom the bottom'terrninalof the secondary winding 60 of transformer 41through conductor" 3a', contact 48, through hydrophone Il), Contact: 49,and conductor 3b to the top terminal of' the secondary winding' 64 ofvtransformer 41.

When the contacts of key 9 are closed, a circuit may be traced' fromground through positive batter`y`41`, lamp 42, resistance 43', contactsof key 9T, winding 60, conductor 3a, relay `windings 34 and 33, rectier15 and" resistance 62 to ground 5. Contacts |1` and |8` close,connecting hydrophon'e' across conductors 3a and 3b.

When thec'on'tacts of key' 52' are closed, a circuit maybe traced' fromground through negative battery 44, lamp 45; resistance 45, contacts ofkey' 92;, winding 60', conductor 3a', relay windings 36`a'n'dV 35 inseries,.rectier 11, and resistance 84 t6 ground 5'. Contacts I9' and 201close, connecting hydrophone 1 across conductors' 3a and 3b.

When the contacts of key93 are'closed, a circuit may betraced fromground through positive battery 4|, lamp' 42, resistance 43', contactsvof key 93; winding" 64,. conductorV 3o, relay windings 38 and' 31 inseries, rectier 19 and resistance 6B' to ground 5'. Contacts 2| and 22close', connecting hydrophone 8 across conductors 3a" and` 3U.

When the'coritact's'o'f key 94 are closed, a circuit may be traced fromground through negative battery 24, lamp 45, resistance 46, contacts ofkey 54, winding 64, conductor 3b, relay windings M1 and 39 in series,rectifier H and resistance GS to ground 5. Contacts 23 and 2d close,connecting hydrophone 9 across conductors 3a and 3b.

When either positive or negative battery is impressed on conductor 5cthrough the operation of a selecting key, a circuit is extended throughinductance coil 15 and winding 12 to ground 5 closing contact 52. Thisestablishes a second circuit frorn conductor 3a, inductance 15, contact52 and relay windings 51 and 55 in series to ground 5to operi contactsl-S and 49, which are normally closed, disconnecting hydrophonc I9 fromccnductors 3a. and 3b.

When eitherY positive or negative battery is connected tov conductor 3bby the operation of a selecting key, a circuit extends from conductor 3othrough inductance 13 and relay Winding 14 to ground 5 closing contact53. This in turn extends the circuit from conductor b'through inductance"s3, contacts 53 and relay windings 5'! and 55 in series to ground 5.Contacts 6? and @9 open disconnecting hydrophone lf3 from conductors 3aand 3b.

vThe magnitudes of resistances- 62, 84, 55 and 68 are low relative tothe magnitudes' ofl the resistances of the relay windings so asv toprovide a lowresistanceshunt around the relay windings to ground whenselections are'bei'ng made over the opposite conductor,

Fromthe above it should be apparent that normally hydrophone ID isconnected to signaling station l. When any one of selecting keys 9| to5G is actuated to its alternate position some one hydrophone ofhydrophones 6 toti is connected to signaling station I andhydrophoneluis disconnected from signaling station l.

Refer to Fig. 2. In this arrangement aV signaling station 25| isconnected'through'transformer 262 anda two-conductor submarinel cable'enclosed in an impervious sheath' 254; to an un-Y derwater selectingswitching station'which isenclosed in a sealed container 255. Connectedindvidually toY the underwater selecting switchincf,

station are nine hydrophones 2|| to 2 l5. Hydrophone 2| 9 is normallyconnectedto signaling stan tion 25|; Hydrophonel 2|!) is disconnectedyfrom signaling station 20| and any one of the other eight hydrophonesmaybe selected by operating either a single key or two keys of theAgroup of four keys 22| to 224'at selecting station 21,

v The key numbers of the selecting keys 22| to 224 the contacts of whichare closed to select a particular hydrophone are indicated in the codetable per Fig. 3. shows a dash in the bottom left-hand column whichindicates that hydrophone 2|9, as shown in the corresponding right-handcolumn of Fig. 3` is'connected to signaling station 20| when no keys areoperated. The circuit which connects hydrophone 219 to signaling'station 22| may be traced from the bottom terminal of the winding' 212of the secondary of transformer 202 through conductor 2830;, contact232d, contact 242e, con-V Reference to this' table of inductance coil226, winding of relay 232, rectiiier 231i and rectifier 235 to ground266. Relay 232 is operated. A circuit may then be traced from the bottomterminal of winding 212 through conductor Ec, contact 232C, contact Zlm,contact 256m, hydrophone 2 i i, Contact 25M, contact iia, and Contact23217 to the top terminal of winding Elfi. The inner terminals citransformer windings 2M anc are interconnected through condenser 22:6,

When the contacts of key 222 are closed, a circuit may be traced fromground through negative battery itt, lamp resistance 2?@ contacts of key222, winding 2'52, conductor fla, winding 228, rectifier 238, rectiiier249 and the winding of relay 252 to ground operating relay M2. A circuitmay then be traced from the bottom terminal of winding 2'5'2, conductorEil-Ga, Contact 2325i, contact 2/l2tl, contact 2Mo, contact 25th.hydrophone 252, contact 25ste, contact 256i, contact 262C, contact 232e,and conductor ESSI) to the top terminal of winding 2M.

When the contacts of key 223 are closed, a circuit may be raced fromground, through positive battery 259, lamp 252, resistance 2%, contactsof key 223, winding 214, conductor 293i), winding 239 of inductance 226,rectifier 254, rectifier Edt, and winding 245i to ground 2595 operatingrelay 27d/Ji. A circuit may then be traced from the Toottom terminal ofwinding 212, conductor 293e, contact 2326i, contact 2&26', contact255ML, hydrophone 2l3, contact Edile, contact 252i] and contact 23211 tothe top terminal of winding Elli.

When the contacts of key 2213 are closed a circuit may be traced fromground through nega-- tive battery lamp 25S, resistance 2lb, contacts ofkey 22d, winding 274, conductor 29312, Winding 291i, winding of relay253 and rectiiiers 2li8 and 252 to ground operating relay 2%. A circuitmay then be traced from the bottom terininal of winding 252, conductor2t3a, contact 23201, contact 2i2e, Contact Zilli. contact Ziliii,hydrophone 2 ifi, contact 255311, contact Mid, contact 2132?) andcontact 232e to the top terminal of winding 27d.

When the contacts ci keys 22! and 223 are closed simultaneously, relays232 and 2M are operated simultaneously over paths traced above.

A circuit may then be traced from the bottom4 terminal of winding 2l?,through conductor a, contact 232C, co-ntact ZMZ, hydrophone 2l5, contact2Mb and contact 2321i to the top terminal oi winding 271i.

When the contacts of keys 22| and 22e are closed simultaneously, relays22! and 2523 are opn erated simultaneously over paths traced above. Acircuit may then be traced from the bottom terminal of winding 272,through conductor 2230., contact 232e, contact 241517Z, contact 2591,hydrophone 2l6, contact 25M?, Contact 26de and contact 2322) to the topterminal of winding Z'M.

When the contacts of keys 222 and 223 are closed simultaneously, relays242 and 24@ are operated simultaneously over Ypaths traced above. Acircuit may then be traced from the bottom terminal of winding 2'32,through conductor 23a, contact 2l2f, contact 25H16, hydrophone 2 H,contact 2Mo, and contact 2132er to the top terminal of coil 214.

When the contacts of keys 222 and 221i are closed simultaneously, relays242 and 25B are operated simultaneously over paths traced above. Acircuit may then be traced from the bottom terminal of winding 2'52,through conductor 2ll3a, contact 2326i, contact 22d, contact 2Mo,contact 250g, hydrophone 2 is, contact 250), contact 245i,

contact 2220, and contact 232e to the top terminal of coil 2M.

What is claimed is:

1. In a switching system, a control station, a central switchingstation, four neutral relays only at said switching station, contacts onsaid relays, said contacts arranged in a modified fan circuit, nine twoconductor paths establishable through said fan circuit, nine selectableelements, an individual two wire path connecting each of said selectableelements to a corresponding individual one of said nine two conductorpaths, a winding on each of said relays, a plurality of rectiers at saidswitching station connected to said windings to form a network, groundedpositive and negative battery at said control station; a first and asecond conductor each extending from said control station to saidnetwork, said rst and said second conductor connected also to said fancircuit, a return conducting path from said network to said groundedbattery, means at said control station for impressing permutatedconditions of said grounded positive and negative battery through saidrst and said second conductor, through said network and through saidreturn path to said grounded battery, and means, responsive to theimpressing of said conditions, for selectively extending said rst andsecond conductor through any particular one of said nine two conductorpaths, and through its connected two wire path to its connectedselectable element.

2. In a hydrcphone station selecting system, a land signaling station,an underwater central switching station, a single submarine cable havingtwo metallic conductors only and an impervious metallic sheathinterconnecting said stations, said sheath connected to ground at saidland station, no more than four relays at said central station, all ofsaid relays neutral relays, a, winding and contacts on each of saidrelays, said contacts arranged in a modified fan circuit, nineindividual two conductor paths establishable through said fan circuit,nine selectable hydrophones each connected individually through a twoWire path to a corresponding one of said nine paths, a plurality ofrectiiiers at said central station, all of said windings and all of saidrectiers interconnected in a network, connections from said two metallicconductors to both said network and said contacts, grounded positive andnegative battery at said land station, means at said land station forimpressing permutated conditions of said grounded positive and negativebattery on said two metallic conductors, through said network andthrough said sheath to said ground connected to said sheath, and means,responsive to said impressing of said conditions, for selectivelyextending both of said two metallic conductors simultaneously throughany particular one of said nine paths and its connected two wire path toits connected hydrophone.

3. In combination in a hydrophone station selecting system, a landsignaling station, a land selecting station, an underwater selectingswitching mechanism, ve hydrophones each interconnected by means of twoindividual conductors only to said mechanism, a single transformerhaving a primary and a secondary winding, said secondary winding havingtwo coils, said coils having their inner terminals interconnectedthrough a condenser, one first pair of conductors only interconnectingsaid signaling station and said primary winding, one second pair ofconductors only connecting said selecting station to the i all junctionsbetween said condenser and said coils of said secondary winding, onethird pair of con ductors only extending from the outer terminals ofsaid Secondary Winding' to said switching mechanism, an impervioussheath for said third pair, ground connected to said sheath, a rst and asecond pair of keys only, at said selecting station, connected to saidrst and second conductor of said second pair respectively, positive ornegati-vebattery connectable to one or the other key of each of saidpair of keys, a plurality of neutral relays insaid mechanism each havinga winding connected through an individual rectifier network to saidgroundedsheath, a circuit eiectively interconnecting said signalingstation and a particular oneV of said five hydrophones through said rstand third pairs. of conductors and said mechanism, said circuit beingestablished when all of said keys-are.normal,l and means responsive tothe actuation ofany particular one of saidV keys for establishing aselecting control circuit extendingA through one of said relaywindingsand said sheath to said ground so as toeectively interconnect acorresponding one of the four other ci said five hydrophones throughsaid rst and REFERENCES CITED The following references are of recordA inthe ille of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 743,512 Jacobs Nov. 10, 190,3.760,399 Peneld May 17, 1904 1,704,736 Geiger Mar. 12, 1929 1,499,766Field July 1, 1924 1,501,109 Harlow July 15, 1 924, 2,352,742 Sofel July4, 1944` 1,820,354 Leesson Aug. 25, 1931 2,278,410 Bascom Apr. '7., 19422,347,108 Hubbard Apr. 18, 1944iV 2,289,830 EllWoGd July 14, 1942FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Datel 314,112 Great Britain June 24, 1929

